thebookdisciple
Written on May 15, 2015
The explosive, emotional and unforgettable new romance from the NYT bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series
Alexa Holland's father was her hero-until her shocking discovery. Ever since, Alexa has worked to turn her life in a different direction and forge her own identity outside of his terrible secrets. But when she meets a man who's as damaged by her father's mistakes as she is, Alexa must help him.
Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa's efforts at redemption, but it's not so easy to push her away. Determined to make her hate him, he brings her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away. But his actions only draw them together and, despite the odds, they begin an intense and all-consuming affair.
Only Caine knows he can never be the white knight that Alexa has always longed for, and when they're on the precipice of danger, he finds he'll do anything to protect either one of them from being hurt again . . .
Praise for Samantha Young:
'Ridiculously incendiary chemistry.' - Dear Author
'Scotland's answer to E.L. James. Steamy romance . . . mysterious, all-consuming and pretty damn good' Closer
'Humor, heartbreak, drama, and passion.'-The Reading Cafe
'A true gift for storytelling with a liberal dose of racy encounters. But what really sets it apart is exquisite characterisation, so vivid that the cast seeps into the reader's psyche' - Daily Record
"Heartwarming, sizzling and captivating. . . . [Young's characters] are complex, a little flawed, and at their core good people struggling to make it in this crazy world. . . . Young creates steamy scenes that sizzle with just the right amount of details." - Caffeinated Book Reviewer
- ISBN10 0349408777
- ISBN13 9780349408774
- Publish Date 3 February 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
- Imprint Piatkus Books
- Edition Digital original
- Format eBook (EPUB)
- Pages 80000
- Language English
Reviews
Cocktails and Books
Written on Mar 19, 2015
Caine was what I would call in the beginning a typical male chauvinist ass to be quite honest, he was arrogant and a real jerk, but that didn't last long...he had many flaws and underneath that tough shell of a man was an extremely vulnerable boy, one that had endured a lot pain in his life. Then we meet Alexa, she is for all intents and purposes supposed to be Caine's enemy, but this strong and stubborn female is not to be reckoned with when it comes to getting Caine to forgive her family for the wrongs that they caused him and that includes doing everything she is able to in order for her to chip away at his hard exterior. Caine definitely met his match in Alexa and living through their mental torture of each other, their love story was just a torturous. Enemies to lovers is always so much more combustive when it comes to the chemistry between two people and this book was no different, it was off the charts and the sex, well lets just say that the sex was panty melting hot! The passion builds between them, it's almost suffocating, and neither one of them lets anyone in, but they can’t stop from pulling the other one close. Pure Magnetism!
This was such a well thought out story, with layers of drama and plot twists. I absolutely loved it, and quite literally did not put it down until the end and even when I read the last page, I wanted more. The Secondary characters in this book were fantastic and just made the book that much more enjoyable. I could see myself reading this book again which is something I rarely ever do, but this book is worth it. Put this on your to be read pile and don't wait too long, It would be at the top of my list!
Reviewed by Kim for Cocktails and Books
stacey_is_sassy
Written on Feb 4, 2015
I enjoyed this story by Samantha Young. I'm finding it hard to write this review though because for most of the story I hated the main character, Caine. He was certainly no book boyfriend and too often what came out of his mouth was offensive and rude.
The beginning of the story when the main characters meet, we learn that Alexa knows Caine because of something Alexa's sperm donor father had done to Caine's family that ruined his life. Alexa hates what her father did and tries to talk to Caine about it which doesn't go over well. Caine get Alexa fired from her job so she comes to him to talk it out. Caine offers her a job as his PA.
Caine is not a very nice man and makes Alexa's life hell. They both are attracted to each other and eventually hook up with Caine telling Alexa that it would be sex and nothing else. This couple were seriously HOT together. Ms Young wrote some very sexy scenes.
Caine is happy to have sex on a regular basis, but nothing else. Alexa starts feeling more and tries to make Caine realise they were meant for each other.
I dropped a star and it could have easily been more because of Caine's attitude through most of the story. He acts aloof, talks down and rudely and is always pushing Alexa away. I just never felt love between them. Lots of lust, but Alexa started their relationship based on guilt and Caine puts his work ahead of everything.
A really hot and steamy read with angst and a little mystery thrown in as well.
This review and more can be found at http://edgyreviews.com/
EBookObsessed
Written on Feb 1, 2015
Alexa Holland is a personal assistant to a famous photographer. She is just returning from a vacation after she had a breakdown on a shoot following her mother’s death. On her first day back, she walks into a shoot featuring self-made, multi-millionaire Caine Carraway. When left orphaned at age thirteen, Caine is thrown into the system but manages to get a scholarship to business school and eventually funds his own bank. No one knows Alexa’s connection to Caine. Alexa’s father is responsible for the deaths of Caine’s parents.
Why, oh why, can’t Alexa keep this tidbit to herself until the end of the day is the question. When Caine comes over to flirt with her, she blurts out her last name to him and her connection to his family. Caine was already cranky doing the shoot but he then goes into a rage getting the photographer fired, and when this results in the photographer losing several other magazines, and he fires Alexa.
Left without her well-paying job, Alexa sneaks by security into Caine’s office to ask him to get her her job back. Normally, I would say this is a very ballsy of her and pretty desperate, but obviously with her connection to the man that destroyed Caine’s life, it is a little cruel to push herself in his face and ask a favor. Yes, I agree that she is not her father and should not be held accountable for his actions. But it seems rather mean to have ripped open his most painful wound with no warning, and then go ask for a favor. I guess there would be no story without this set up.
Caine can’t get her a job back, but he offers her the position as his PA instead at an obscene amount of money. The bonus to Caine seems to be tormenting Alexa, by making her work crazy hours and run stupid errands, even on the weekends.
We also have several men flirting with the pretty PA, and Caine sneering and chasing them all away because he wants her but he doesn’t want to want her.
Of course, there is crazy sexual tension between the characters but even giving in to that tension doesn’t go smoothly. As soon as it’s over, Caine seems to remember who’s daughter he just had sex with and quickly pulls away.
Alexa won’t be pushed away so easily but she has to put up one hell of a fight for Caine. In fact, we could have shortened this story a bit without all the hot sex–no, it doesn’t mean anything…hot sex–no, it doesn’t mean anything being dragged out. Alexa is a bit of a glutton for punishment because she keeps pushing and he keeps kicking her away (after the sex, of course) and she just keeps trying. Alexa’s heart is in the right place and you can feel her frustration with Caine trying to get him to acknowledge his emotions.
But we do find out that there is more to Caine’s commitment phobia than just not finding the right woman, or in the case of Alexa, her family connection, Caine has his own ugly secret which he fears will turn Alexa away from him. When it is finally revealed, I was surprised that someone hasn’t already blackmailed Caine or released that scandal a long time ago.
THOUGHTS:
I read this story in a day and was too enamored with the characters to put it down. Caine has a delightful older neighbor who is like a grandmother to Caine. This is mostly because she is the type of character that won’t be told no. Caine tells her everything and she gets behind the matchmaking between Caine and Alexa.
My biggest issue here was the juxtaposition between Alexa and her mother. Alexa was still resentful at mother for being subservient to her father and allowing herself to be treated badly all those years. But Alexa doesn’t seem to be any better in her behavior with Caine. She allows herself to be used by him for a sex-only relationship and after it’s done, he walks out on her time and again. What makes her any different from her own mother?
Alexa keeps holding onto a man who treats her bad. Every time she say, “you have feelings for me” and he’s all, “nope,” it leaves Alexa coming off as a bit desperate. This is a case where the heroine started out all confident and I can take anything you dish out, to a pathetic, I’ll let you do anything if you please love me.
Regardless of Alexa’s desperation (which does pay off in the end), it was a good story.
Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Jan 10, 2015
Alexa is stubborn but so is Caine and thus beings their delicious banter and wicked game of advance and retreat. I laughed at their tango and was in awe of Alexa’s strength and patience. Caine did an excellent job of hiding his own emotions and seeing Alexa chip away at his carefully crafted façade had me fully engaged. Their interaction was a joy to observe and something everyone in the room could feel. Alex matched him step for step and caught him off guard. I love a strong woman and she does not take crap from anyone while still being sensitive and observant. An ornery, meddling old woman who I would like to be when I grow up added to the mix and stirred the pot, as did Caine’s best friend. These two had me giggling aloud. We get a little side romance and it is one I would have liked a full book of. *hint I am thinking companion book with overlapping timeline *
Young weaved some angst into Hero with some clever twists and a dash of danger to keep me singing the “just one more chapter” mantra. I love how she makes me fully connect to her characters. I experienced all the feels from wanting to hold them and just flat out wanting to slap them in the back of the head. It was perfectly orchestrated and skillfully pulled at my heartstrings. I was chasing my HEA, and although I felt certain it was just around the corner, Young did not make it easy. Sometimes a story can be so overwrought with angst that I do not enjoy it but such was not the case with Hero. It felt genuine and raw. Gads I fell in love with Caine Carraway. The man made me swoon one moment and want to hug him the next. The romance brings heat and passion. It was sinfully delicious from raw primal need to earth shattering sweetness.
Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Rowena
Written on Nov 25, 2014
Overall, this is a good story. It's solid story telling but there's something about Samantha Young's heroes that are not in the On Dublin Street series that drive me bananas. Jake from In to the Deep and Out of the Shadows drove me up the wall. It was the same with Caine in this book. He had some major issues and those issues took too long to fix themselves and I just wished that Caine didn't take so long to come around to his love for Lexie...I almost wished that she would have, well...anyway, it was still a good book. A story with characters that stayed with me for a while after I finished the book. Young is a pro at hooking readers because as much as her characters drive me nuts, I can't seem to stop reading her books. She's addicting like that.